Stephen Tsang
Stephen H. Tsang is an ophthalmologist and geneticist. He is currently an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and an Associate Professor of Cell Biology and Pathology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, New York, in the United States.
Tsang studies metabolic signaling in retinal diseases, as well as gene therapy and stem cell therapy to treat such diseases. In 2010, Tsang led an international research team that used embryonic stem cells of mice to replace diseased retinal cells in mice with retinitis pigmentosa to restore sight. In 2012, Tsang produced long term visual improvement in retinitis pigmentosa mouse models in two experiments, one using induced pluripotent stem cells and the other gene therapy. In 2015, Tsang was among the leaders of a team which discovered a gene mutation that can cause achromatopsia. In 2016, Tsang's team, in partnership with University of Iowa scientists, used the genome editing tool called CRISPR to repair a mutation that causes retinitis pigmentosa in patient derived stem cells. In 2018, Tsang and his team created a new technique for CRISPR, restoring function in the retina of mice affected by retinitis pigmentosa. Additionally, Tsang contributes to scientific rigor with his service on the Diseases and Pathophysiology of the Visual System Study Section at the NIH until 2018, and on the Scientific Advisory Panel of Research to Prevent Blindness until 2029.Biography
Tsang was born in British Hong Kong's Evangel Hospital 播道醫院. He went to St. Teresa's Kindergarten and St. Teresa's Primary school St. Teresa's School Kowloon , then onto La Salle College, all in Kowloon, Hong Kong. He immigrated to the United States after La Salle College, graduating college from Johns Hopkins University. During college, Tsang trained in medical genetics under Professor Victor A. McKusick. He obtained an M.D.-Ph.D. from the NIH-National Institute of General Medical Sciences Medical Scientist Training Program at Columbia University. Tsang did his residency at Jules Stein Eye Institute/UCLA, and then he studied with Professors Alan C. Bird and Graham E. Holder, researching how to improve care of people suffering macular degeneration. Tsang is the editor of two books on regenerative medicine and precision medicine. He has authored over 280 peer reviewed articles, including articles published in Science and the Journal of Clinical Investigation.Selected honors
